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Fazule And Sons Plumbing vs Reed Plumbing

Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Both are highly experienced, fully insured veterans, with Reed's 35 years edging Fazule's 24 years in diagnostic depth, though location may be the deciding factor.

Fazule And Sons Plumbing: Oakland-based plumber with 24 years of licensing, known for fast response times and straightforward pricing.
Reed Plumbing: Livermore-based plumber with 35 years of licensing, recognized for diagnostic problem-solving and cost-saving solutions.
Fazule And Sons Plumbing Reed Plumbing
Rating 4.5 4.5
Years Licensed 24 years 35 years
License # 798031 601931
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Oakland, CA Livermore, CA
Website www.fazuleandsonsplumbingca.com dareedplumbing.com

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Key Differences

Reed Plumbing's 35 years of licensing gives them an 11-year edge over Fazule's 24 years—a meaningful difference when dealing with older homes or complex diagnostic challenges where decades of pattern recognition matter. That extra experience shows in customer feedback: Reed earns praise specifically for diagnostic capabilities and finding solutions that avoid major expenses, while Fazule gets consistent recognition for speed and efficiency in execution. Both maintain identical insurance and bonding, so your financial protection is equivalent. Geography creates a practical split: Fazule operates from Oakland serving the immediate area, while Reed is based in Livermore. For straightforward jobs where you know what needs fixing, Fazule's reputation for quick response and honest pricing serves most homeowners well. For situations requiring detective work—intermittent leaks, mysterious pressure issues, or aging systems—Reed's diagnostic reputation and willingness to spend extra time on difficult jobs without price increases offers additional value.

What Customers Say

Fazule And Sons Plumbing

Customers consistently praise Fazule And Sons for quick response times, punctual arrivals, and honest recommendations without upselling.

Reed Plumbing

Reed Plumbing earns recognition for diagnostic capabilities, finding cost-saving solutions, and completing difficult jobs without increasing agreed pricing.

Key Takeaway: Fazule's strength is speed and straightforward execution, while Reed's advantage is diagnostic problem-solving and handling complex situations that require extra time.

Customer Reviews

Fazule And Sons Plumbing

Sep 2025

We had these guys come out to install an automatic gas shutoff valve and they did a really good job. Checkers & Zachary showed up on time, walked us through the process of what they were going to do, ...

Aug 2025

A+ highly recommend. Honest, trustworthy, reliable. Made life easy and did quality work.

Apr 2025

Very knowledgeable and won't try and sell you on things you don't need. Would highly recommend!

Reed Plumbing

Dec 2025

TL;DR: Good folks, will use again. I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel, and so short a toilet for the family. Flush the toilet, and realize I'm standing in a puddle ... bad. Yeah, it's "just" a w...

Jul 2025

They took all the extra time necessary to fix a small problem that took an unexpectedly large amount of time, with patience and professionalism and without charging more than the pre-agreed cost.

Mar 2025

Called on Saturday about a clean out that kept on getting plugged up. They showed up the next working day on Monday bright and early and spent 2 hours blasting grease all the way down to the street wi...

Consider Fazule And Sons Plumbing if...

  • You're located in Oakland or closer to the west side of Alameda County and want faster response times for service calls
  • Your plumbing need is straightforward—a known water heater replacement, visible leak, or gas line modification—where diagnostic complexity isn't the primary concern
  • You value speed and efficiency with minimal appointment wait times, as customers consistently report quick scheduling and punctual arrivals
  • You appreciate contractors who provide honest assessments without pushing additional services you don't need
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Consider Reed Plumbing if...

  • You're in Livermore or the eastern Alameda County area where they're locally based
  • Your plumbing problem is unclear or intermittent—you need someone who excels at identifying root causes rather than just treating symptoms
  • You're dealing with an older home where hidden issues may exist and want a contractor with maximum pattern recognition from 35 years of experience
  • You have a difficult or complex job where a contractor's willingness to spend extra time without increasing pre-agreed pricing matters
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • Ask about typical response times to your specific location, since one is Oakland-based and the other Livermore-based
  • For complex diagnostic situations, ask each contractor about their approach to troubleshooting and whether they charge for diagnostic time separately
  • Ask for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if you have an older home or a problem that previous plumbers couldn't solve

The Bottom Line

Both contractors are fully qualified veteran operators with excellent credentials, so you're choosing between strengths rather than avoiding weaknesses. If you're in or near Oakland with a defined plumbing need and value fast response, Fazule And Sons delivers efficient service with honest pricing. If you're closer to Livermore or facing a diagnostic challenge where the problem isn't obvious, Reed's 35 years and reputation for problem-solving offer meaningful advantages. Location proximity should heavily influence your choice for routine work, while diagnostic complexity favors Reed's deeper experience base. Either contractor provides the insurance protection and longevity you want.

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Frequently Asked Questions

For a straightforward water heater swap with no complications, both contractors have more than enough experience—24 years is plenty. The experience gap becomes relevant when the job reveals unexpected issues: corroded gas lines, inadequate venting, or code violations that require judgment calls about the scope of necessary work.

Reed Plumbing has a stronger reputation specifically for diagnostic work and problem identification, with customers highlighting their ability to find root causes and avoid unnecessary expenses. If you're dealing with symptoms but not certainty about the cause, that diagnostic strength is worth prioritizing over response speed.

Location affects response time and potentially service costs if travel time factors into pricing. A Livermore-based plumber traveling to Oakland may have different availability than a local Oakland contractor. For emergency situations or jobs requiring multiple visits, choosing the closer company usually means faster service and easier scheduling.

No significant concerns emerge from either profile. Both maintain required workers comp insurance, proper bonding, decades of active licensing, and consistent positive customer feedback. This is a choice between two solid options, not a situation where one has clear risk factors.

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How We Compare Contractors

License Verification

All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.

Review Analysis

Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.

Detailed Comparison

We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.

Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.

  • Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
  • Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
  • Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
  • Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.

Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.

Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 11, 2026.

This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.

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